A group under the banner of Oyo North APC Concerned Indigenes Demanding Justice has accused unnamed political forces of attempting to manipulate the outcome of the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primary in Oyo North, insisting that Dr. Gbenga Adegbola emerged as the rightful winner of the exercise.
In a statement issued on Saturday and addressed to the APC National Chairman, the Presidency, the National Working Committee (NWC), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the general public, the group described the unresolved primary as a “grave injustice” capable of undermining confidence in the party’s internal democratic process.
The statement, jointly signed by former Minority Leader of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Ajekiigbe David Akinwale Bada, and the National Chairman of Egbe Ajosepo Fun Itesiwaju Gbogbo Wa, Engr. Olaifa Dauda Alade, claimed that Dr. Adegbola won the primary “fair and square.”
According to the group, attempts were allegedly being made by “anti-democratic forces” acting in the interest of “a single political godfather” to overturn the outcome of the exercise.
The group specifically mentioned Mr. Zaccheus Adedeji, alleging that interests linked to him were behind moves to alter the result of the primary election.
“No individual, regardless of their position or proximity to power, has the right to dictate the candidate for our zone. This is not a banana republic. This is a democratic party operating under the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the guidelines of the APC,” the statement read.
The concerned indigenes called on the APC National Headquarters to reject any alleged attempt to substitute Adegbola’s name and urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene in the matter to ensure justice and transparency.
They also appealed to INEC to recognise only the candidate that emerged through what they described as a legitimate and transparent process.
The group warned that failure to resolve the dispute fairly could have political consequences for the APC in Oyo North ahead of the general election.
“The APC risks losing Oyo North entirely in the general election if justice is not immediately served. We are not threatening the party; we are warning it out of love for the party and democracy,” the statement added.
The group maintained that what was obtained in Oyo South and Oyo Central Senatorial Districts, where candidates have already emerged, should also apply in Oyo North.
It further called on party members, civil society organisations, and the media to closely monitor developments surrounding the primary and ensure that the will of party members prevails.
